Central Coast Council has released two draft Floodplain Risk Management Plans and Studies for public consultation.

The two documents, one for the Wallarah Creek catchment and the other covering the combined Killarney Vale/Long Jetty catchments, utilise information from floodplain risk management studies, offering options to mitigate the risk of overland flooding caused by excessive rainfall.

Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews said that Council understands these communities have been through a lot recently, and that the consultation period has been extended to allow all voices to be heard.

“The communities that these floodplain plans and studies address have been directly impacted by either bushfires or flooding in the last six months. We want to acknowledge that and ensure everyone has the opportunity to consider what we have proposed and have their say,” said Mayor Matthews.

“Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic we have moved from face to face drop in sessions to online consultation. As a result, we have extended the consultation period over six weeks and are offering innovative ways to engage such as booking a zoom meeting or phone call to discuss the plans with our flood teams.

“Online engagement can be challenging but it’s vital that your voice is heard, and I urge everyone living in these areas to share their lived experiences.”

The plans outline future floodplain management actions for the communities within the Wallarah Creek catchment floodplain, including the suburbs of Blue Haven, Wallarah, Bushells Ridge, Doyalson, San Remo, Charmhaven, and Woongarrah, and the Killarney Vale/Long Jetty catchments including the suburbs of Bateau Bay, Shelly Beach, Long Jetty, Killarney Vale and sections of The Entrance.

Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Scott Cox said that the plans focus on overland flooding within the floodplain areas, and emphasised that Tuggerah Lakes comes under a separate flood management plan.

“We understand and appreciate that flooding across Tuggerah Lakes is a major concern for residents, however it is important to reiterate that these challenges have been assessed in a separate plan – the Tuggerah Lakes Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, and that this consultation focuses on the issue of overland flooding in Wallarah Creek catchment and Killarney Vale/Long Jetty catchments,” said Mr Cox.

“We have a range of resources available on the website to help the community understand these differences, including an animation of the overland flooding that occurs in these two catchments.

“The plans we have placed on exhibition have taken into consideration feedback from our initial consultation with these affected communities, and now is the time for these communities to make sure we have covered their areas of concern.”

Residents and businesses can visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/floodplain to have their say on the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for Wallarah Creek catchment and Killarney Vale/Long Jetty catchments until Wednesday 5 August.